Packaging machines



April 9, 1968 A. s. DOROSZ ETAL 3,375,691

PACKAGING MACHINES Filed Oct. 29, 1965 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventors AdolphSDorosz Armand L TZzrdi/f By their Afiorn ey April 1968 A. s. DOROSZ L3,376,691

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PACKAGING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 29, 1965 l I l April 9,1968 A. s. DOROSZ ETAL 3,376,691

PACKAGING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 29, 1965 April 9, 1968 A.s. DOROSZ ET AL PACKAGING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 29, 1965A ril 9, 1968 A. s. DOROSZ ETAL 3,375,691

PACKAGING MACHINES Filed Oct. 29, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 A ril 9, 1968 A.s. DOROSZ ETAL 3,376,691

PACKAGING MACHINES Filed 001:. 29, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet v United StatesPatent Ofllice 3,376,691 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 3,376,691 PACKAGINGMACHINES Adolph S. Dorosz, Beverly, and Armand L. Tardiif, Salem,

Mass., assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass., acorporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 505,710 6Claims. (Cl. 53--377) This invention relates to packaging machines andmore particularly is directed to apparatus for folding blanks during theformation of display packages.

There is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,195,284, one form of machine formaking display packages. As shown in said patent the package producedtherein and which also may be contemplated by the present invention isformed from a flat blank comprising a supporting frame of relativelyrigid material having a window opening covered by a sheet of heatformable transparent plastic material. The plastic window is shaped toreceive an article, the blank being folded after the article is placed.

Such packages have found wide acceptance and in order to extend theiruse, it is essential that machinery used in their production be capableof high speed and increased output over machines presently in use. Oneproblem encountered is increased speed as well as simultaneous multipleproduction of the package involves the precise control of the packageblanks while being folded. Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to overcome the problems encountered with increased speed andprecise control of the folding operation. To this end the machine isprovided with a folding station on the feed path of the package blanks.At this station folding arms are provided which are initially adjacentbut out of the feed path of the blanks. The blanks are intermittenly fedand located so the leading ends are engageable by the arms. The arms areswung through the feed path so as to fold the blank at a predeterminedfold line while the blank is held fixed by suction cups. While the blankis held folded by the arms, a pair of feed grippers close on the foldedblank to maintain the fold. Thereafter, the arms and the suction cupsare retracted and the grippers advance the folded blank to a fixingstation where the folded blank is secured together. A pair of fixedgrippers between the folded and fixing stations hold the folded card inthe interval while the feed grippers release the blank and the fixingstation secures the folded blank together.

The above and other features of the invention together with noveldetails of construction and combination of parts will now be describedwith particular reference to the drawings and thereafter will be pointedout in the claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a typical packaging machine in which theinvention may be embodied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the machineparticularly at the blank folding station;

FIG. 3 is a plan view with parts broken away showing the feed drivemechanism;

FIG. 4 is a section on line IVIV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation with parts broken away of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 4 butillustrating the drive mechanism for the fixed gripper;

FIG. 7 is a view partly in section of control mechanism adjacent themechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section substantially on line VIIIVIII of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation with parts broken away to illustrate theblank folding mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and illustrating the positions ofthe various parts during blank folding; and

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 10.

A typical machine in which may be embodied the folding apparatus of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1. The machine at one end is providedwith a blank feeding mechanism A adapted to deposit blanks individuallyon guideways 2 (FIG. 2) and rails 4 which extend through the machine toguide each blank along a predetermined path. The path extends through afilm heating station B, a pocket forming station C, product loadingstations D, a folding station E, a sealing or fixing station F and afilm shrinking station G. The only station that will be described indetail as pertinent to the present invention is the folding station E.It should be understood that the entire machine shown is merely atypical example of one machine in which the present invention may beused.

After the blank is placed on the guidcways 2 and rails 4 a plurality ofpairs of reciprocating feed grippers 6 (only one pair of which is shownin FIG. 2) grip each blank in succession and feed it successively to aplurality of pairs of fixed grippers. The fixed grippers are open whilethe blanks are advanced and are closed to hold and precisely locate theblank at each station while the feed grippers are opened and returned tofeed the next blank. In this manner each blank is kept under precisecontrol while it is fed to each station. Referring particularly to FIGS.4 and 5, the operation and construction of the feed grippers and thefixed grippers will now be described. Each feed gripper 6 comprises amovable jaw 8 and an anvil jaw 10. The anvil jaws 10 are elongated andconnected together throughout the length of the machine to form theguideways 2. The jaws 10 are carried by brackets 12 secured to two longfeed bars 14 which extend along the length of and at opposite sides ofthe machine. The feed bars are guided for reciprocating movement inguides 16 mounted on portions of the machine frame 18. Each movable jaw8 is pivoted on a pin 20 in each bracket 12 and is provided with an arm22 connected to the piston rod 24 of a fluid operated cylinder 26carried on pivots 28 in the bracket. Introduction of pressure fluid tothe cylinder acts to close the jaw 8 to clamp 21 blank 30 against thejaw 10.

The bars 14 are reciprocated in unison by means of the mechanism shownin FIGS. 3 and 8. Each bar is provided with a depending lug 32 (FIG. 8),the lower end of which is received in a slot 34 (FIG. 3) in a bracket36. The bracket is provided with bearings 38 adapted to slide on a rod40 fixed at opposite ends in cross bars 42 of the machine frame. At oneend the bracket is guided in a groove 44 in a bar 46 also secured to themachine frame. For reciprocating the bracket and hence also the bars 14and feed grippers, a slot 48 in the bracket receives a pin 50 upstandingfrom a lever 52. The lever is pivoted at 54 and is provided with asprocket 56 carrying a chain 58 which runs over idler sprockets 60 andis secured at opposite ends to members 62, 62 connected by a plate 64.The plate 64 has headed pins 66 running in slots 6-7 in support members68 secured to the machine frame. The members 62 are connected to theopposite ends of piston rods 70, 7-1 extending from a fluid operateddrive cylinder 72, and a speed control cylinder 73, respectively, thecylinders being secured to the unde-rsides of the members 68. As shownin FIG. 3, the various parts are in their initial positions prior toinitiaton of a blank feed cycle. By introducing pressure fluid to theleft end of cylnder 72, the chain 58 is driven to the right causingcounter-clockwise swinging of lever 52. Through pin 50, this movementalso drives the bracket 36 and bars 14 and feed grippers 6 also to theright until lever 52 engages an adjustable stop screw 76. Forcontrolling the rate of blank feeding movement of the feed grippers thefluid in the right end of cylinder 73 is driven out of the cylinder at arate determined by an adjustable flow control valve (not shown). Thus itmay be seen that by varying the flow rate of fluid exhausted fromcylinder 73, the feeding speed of the feed grippers may be infinitelyvaried.

At the end of the feeding stroke of lever 52, an adjustable screw 77actuates a switch 78 to sign-a1 to the various stations that the feedingof blanks has terminated and operations to be performed on the blanksalso can be commenced. At this time a signal also is given to cause aplurality of pairs of fixed grippers 80 (which are open during the feedmovement as seen in FIG. 4) to clamp the opposite edges of the blanks 30against members 82 secured to the frame 18 (see also FIG. 2). To thisend the grippers 80 are mounted for limited rotation on two shafts 84extending along opposite sides of the machine as seen in FIG. 8. Therotation of the grippers on shaft 84 is limited by keys 86 fixed in theshafts and extending into arcuate slots 88 in the grippers. As seen inFIG. 5, a torsion spring 90 on the shaft has one end fixed in thegripper 80 and the other end fixed in a collar 91 secured by a set screwon the shaft. A sleeve 92 provides a cover for the spring and togetherwith a collar 93 fixed on the shaft locates the gripper 80 endwise onthe shaft. The shaft 84 also has fixed thereto an arm 94 (FIG. 6)connected to the end of a piston rod 95 extending from a double actingfluid operated cylinder 96 pivoted at its lower end to a part of themachine frame. Operation of the cylinder in one direction on signal fromswitch 78 causes clockwise rotation of the shaft 84. Through spring 90the grippers 80 are also swung clockwise to clamp the blanks againstmovement while the feed grippers 6 are opened and returned and thevarious stations perform their operation on the blank. The rotation ofshaft 84 closing grippers 80 causes a lobe 81 (FIG. 7) on cam 83 fixedon the shaft to actuate a switch 85 to signal that the feed grippers maybe opened. ahus, it may be seen that the feed movements of the blanksand their location at the various stations are precisely controlled atall times by the feed grippers and the fixed grippers withoutopportunity for the blanks to be misplaced.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 8 through 11, the blank foldingstation E Will now be described. As above stated, each blank 30 is fedby the feed grippers 6 intermittently through stations B to D with fixedgrippers 80 precisely locating each blank While being operated upon. Theblanks are fed from station D and into the folding station E where theblank is to be folded to enclose an article in the film pocket of theblank. At this station, no fixed grippers are provided to hold the blanksince they would interfere with the folding operation. Thus, to hold theblank positioned as well as to assist in the folding operation suctioncups 100 (FIGS. 9-11) are provided to grip the underside of the blankadjacent its fold line. Each cup is mounted on the upper end of a pistonrod 102 extending from a cylinder 104 secured to the underside of rails4. While the blank is being fed into station E the suction cups 100 areheld retracted by cylinder 104 below the path of movement of the blankas seen in FIG. 9. When the blank 30 has been positioned by the feedgrippers at the end of their feed stroke, pressure fluid is introducedto cylinder 104 to raise cup 100 into engagement with the underside ofthe blank as seen in FIG. 10. At this time a source of vacuum (notshown) is applied to the cup through a passage 106 in the piston rod 102so the blank is firmly gripped by the cup adjacent the fold line of theblank. As soon as the cups have gripped the blank the feed grippers maybe opened to release the blank and to avoid interference with thefolding operation. To ensure that the blank is folded on a predeterminedline where the blank is usually scored, the ends of fingers 108 arrangedabove the blank terminate at the fold line. The fingers are carried bybrackets 110 adjustably secured to bars 112 fixed to a rod 114 alsofixed in members 116 upstanding from the machine frame. To ensure thatthe blanks are maintained in the predetermined feed path as they are fedfrom station to station the bars 112 also carry one end of flexiblestrips 118 which overlies the blank between the windowed areas. Forfolding the blanks, arms 120 are pivoted under rails 4 at 122 and areconnected by links 124- to levers 126. The levers 126 are fixed on ahexagonal shaft 128 which also carries an arm 130 connected to a pistonrod -132 of a cylinder 134 pivoted at 136 to the machine frame.Initially, the folding arms 120 are in the positions shown in FIG. 9below the feed path of the blanks. The leading end of each blank is fedby the feed grippers into position to be subsequently engaged by thearms 120 and the fold line is positioned at the ends of fingers 108. Assoon as the suction cups grip the blank and the feed grippers areopened, pressure fluid is introduced into cylinder 134 and through arm130 and levers 126, the folding arms are swung upward through the feedpath to fold the leading end of the blank upward and over the trailingend to the position seen in FIG. 10. At this time, the feed grippershave been returned and the next pair of feed grippers are locatedadjacent the blank fold line. This next set of feed grippers are closedon the folded blank and a reversal of pressure fluid in cylinder 134causes the folding arms 120 to be retracted to their initial positionsout of the feed path of the blanks and causes the vacuum in cups 100 tobe relieved and the cups to be retracted to their initial positions. Atthe end of the retraction movements, arm actuates a switch 140 to signalthe end of the folding operation andto commence the next feed stroke ofgrippers 6. The folded blankthen is fed from the folding station E tothe fixing station F. Atthe end of the feed stroke the folded blank islocated in :st-ation F and grippers 80 (FIG. 2) at this station clampthe folded blank in accurate location while the blank is securedtogether and the feed grippers are opened and returned to initialposition at the folding station in preparation for gripping and feedingthe next folded blank.

From the foregoing it may be seen that each blank is fed along a feedpath well defined by guideways 2, rails 4, strips 118 and fingers 108.From the time that each blank is placed in this path at the station A,the blank is at all times accurately controlled either by the feedgrippers 6 or the fixed grippers 80. With such precise control theblanks may be fed at high speed with assurance of accurate location ateach station. Obviously, certain substitution of mechanisms and stationscan be. utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for making packages from foldablc' blanks moved along apredetermined path, a folding station on said path and having at leastone folding arm initially located adjacent said path, means for feedingeach blank along said path to a position where one end is engageable bysaid arm, mean-s for swinging said arm from its initial location throughsaid path for folding said one end over the other end of the blank, apair of reciprocating feed grippers, means for closing said grippers onthe blank held folded by said arm to hold the blank folded while the armis returned to its initial location, and means for moving said closedgrippers for advancing the folded blank from said folding station to astation for fixing the folded blank together.

2. In a machine according to claim 1, in which the feed grippers areopen and are positioned adjacent the fold line of the blank while theblank is folded by said arm.

3. In a machine according to claim 1, in which fixed grippers areprovided between the folding station and the fixing station, said fixedgrippers being open while the blank is fed by the feed grippers andbeing closed to hold the blank folded and in fixed position while thefeed grippers are opened and returned to their initial position. I

4. In a machine according to claim 1, in which at least one suction cupis provided at the folding station for gripping the blank adjacent itsfold line While the blank is being folded by said arm.

5. In a machine according to claim 4, in which means are provided toengage said cup with the blank for gripping during the folding operationand to retract said cup for releasing the blank after the foldingoperation.

6. In a machine according to claim 1, in which at least References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1965 Lee 53373 X 2/1966 Brown 53--184 TRAVIS S.MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKAGES FROM FOLDABLE BLANKS MOVED ALONG APREDETERMINED PATH, A FOLDING STATION ON SAID PATH AND HAVING AT LEASTONE FOLDING ARM INITIALLY LOCATED ADJACENT SAID PATH, MEANS FOR FEEDINGEACH BLANK ALONG SAID PATH TO A POSITION WHERE ONE END IS ENGAGEABLE BYSAID ARM, MEANS FOR SWINGING SAID ARM FROM ITS INITIAL LOCATION THROUGHSAID PATH FOR FOLDING SAID ONE END OVER THE OTHER END OF THE BLANK, APAIR OF RECIPROCATING FEED GRIPPERS, MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID GRIP-